Tehran fires 40 envoys

November 03, 2005

TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran said 40 ambassadors and senior diplomats, including supporters of warmer ties with the West, will be fired, continuing a purge as the regime takes an increasingly tough stance at home and abroad.

The diplomatic changes announced Wednesday are part of a government shuffle by conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that includes putting Islamic hard-liners in key posts at security agencies.

Ahmadinejad has steered Iran into a more confrontational stance in its dealings with other nations, particularly in facing suspicions about whether Iran's nuclear program is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The regime denies it is.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said the dismissals include the ambassador to Britain, Mohammad Hossein Adeli, who supports improving contacts with Europe and other countries.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry also said the ambassadors to France, Germany and Malaysia--all with links to moderates--would be fired. The officials agreed to discuss the firings on condition of anonymity.

Ahmadinejad has appointed hard-liners to senior Interior Ministry posts and replaced most provincial governors.